“Medical coverage for everyone in New York, regardless of immigration status”. That was the cry that dozens of people expressed this Thursday. immigrants and low-income workers, who met at noon, at the headquarters of the Apicha Community Health Centerlocated in the heart of Jackson Heightsto demand that Albany include the initiative to expand the health coverage universal within the priorities of the state budget that will be discussed within the Legislature in the coming months. The plan would benefit at least 150,000 New Yorkers of the more than 250,000 what is estimated They do not have any access to medical plans.
This is what he warned Juan Luna Rosa, organization member Make the Road New York, after highlighting that the bill would not only save thousands of lives but also would save millions of dollars to the State by promoting preventive medicine plans, avoiding massive visits to emergency rooms, often when it is too late for patients.
“After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I live in constant fear of not being able to access the medications I need to live. Because I am excluded from accessing health insurance coverage, it is almost impossible for me to continue my treatment and consult a doctor regularly. Having access to health insurance would mean that I could see a doctor to receive primary, preventive and follow-up care to treat my chronic conditions,” said the immigrant. “All New Yorkers deserve to be healthy and receive the necessary medical care that could save our lives. It’s about saving lives and saving“.
The main call was for the Governor Kathy Hochulso as not to turn a blind eye to the bill, which was ignored last year, despite the federal government allowing expanded access to health care for immigrant New Yorkers, thanks to federal waiver 1332 , which if modified and approved, would be, as the protesters warned, “a beneficial opportunity for all,” and at no cost to the State.
“Coverage for Everyone is a common-sense proposal that will make our State healthier and our health care providers more financially stable by giving uninsured New Yorkers another option. in addition to the emergency room, one of the most expensive forms of care,” he said. state senator Gustavo Rivera, president of the Senate Health Committee and sponsor of the bill, who told El Diario NY that if the plan is given the green light, they could obtain $500 million of the federal government and improve access to thousands of New Yorkers left to their own devices.
“We received confirmation from the federal government that we can use the transfer funds from the exception 1332 at no cost to the State, so We must take advantage of this unique opportunity to expand coverage for undocumented population of New York and at the same time address fiscal needs by reducing our State’s emergency Medicaid spending,” said the legislator of Latino origin.
NY immigrants demand Albany finally expand health coverage for all. Edwin Martinez.Credit: Edwin Martínez | Impremedia
“We can design a program in different ways to give access to all people, depending on their income and create different levels, but it has been a rather long and frustrating struggle, especially when we see that the representatives of the Governor and the Department of Health are saying about all the adjustments and cuts we have to make, and it’s all because they are not doing what the federal government tells us we can do and extend access to coverage,” added the state senator. “The lack of actions is already costing us a lot of money. We have to keep pushing, but I think we are close.”
Regarding the project, which in the previous session was left halfway, after being approved only by the Senate, Assembly member Jessica González-Rojas, main sponsor of the bill in the lower house of the Legislature, urged her colleagues not to delay the initiative any longer, when Washington has already given the green light without New York spending a cent.
“For too long we have moved the goalposts for immigrant New Yorkers over and over again. The federal government has now confirmed that we can use surplus funds in a transfer account to provide health care coverage to undocumented New Yorkers. This would not cost our state any dollars and the Governor could still provide the subsidies she wants for other initiatives,” said the Queens political leader, who asked that the rhetoric of singling out newcomers as a reason for not being followed be followed. vital projects move.
“Enough of pitting one group against another or mathematical tricks and political ping pong. These are the lives and well-being of New Yorkers. “This is about providing the basic human right to medical care to our most needy neighbors,” the assemblywoman warned. “We approved Coverage for All in the Senate. “Now it is up to the Assembly to pass the bill and help save lives.”
Assemblyman Steven Raga joined the call and said that medical care is a human right, in which immigration status or the neighborhood where someone lives should not determine access to that benefit.
Senator Gustavo Rivera at the conference on the health care for all law. Edwin Martínez.
“Uninsured New Yorkers should not be forced to go without health care for fear of costs,” the lawmaker said. “This is the year to approve Coverage for All and modify the 1332 exemption. This is a no-brainer, we can save lives and save millions of dollars.”
Javier Guzmanwho has lived in New York for 30 years, with a sign in hand that read the phrase “we need coverage for all to protect our health,” stated that as long as the State of New York does not guarantee health as a basic right, thousands of low-income people will continue to be exposed to not treating their ailments and not only vulnerable patients but the hospital system will suffer serious economic impacts.
“It is a reality that many immigrants do not have access to preventive medicine, and when we are already very sick that is when we go to the hospital, which increases health expenses, something that can be avoided by passing this law,” said the Colombian, who has lived firsthand the ravages of lack of medical coverage. “A few years ago I had an accident at a school: I sprained my back, and they charged me $800 for the ambulance alone. and at the hospital, where they only gave me aspirin and kept me waiting for many hours, just because of the emergency use, I received a bill for $3,000. If they provided universal coverage, they would help us all and save money. Access to health has to be a right. “We are behind here.”
Pablo Garciawho arrived in the Big Apple almost a year ago, assured that granting access to health services for all is an act of humanity, which suits everyone, which is why he urged the Legislature and Governor Hochul to promote the approval of the law in the budget for the next fiscal year.
“We all have the right to feel protected not only with education and work, but also with health. Health is essential for everything to work well and gives us the power to have more opportunities,” said the newcomer.
Lavern Kinga member of the 1199SEIU union and home health care worker, highlighted that too many residents and immigrants are postponing medical care and going to emergency rooms for chronic conditions because they cannot qualify for plans like Medicaid, so he stated that the State needs to expand essential plan to cover low-income New Yorkers regardless of immigration status.
Rose Duhanpresident and CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York, assured that expanding health coverage to everyone will ensure that Community Health Centers can keep their doors open and that everyone has access to care, which will lead to better health outcomes, fewer hospitalizations, and healthier New Yorkers.
Peruvian Pablo García joined the clamor for Albany to approve medical coverage for everyone in NY. Edwin MartinezCredit: Edwin Martinez | Impremedia
“Community health centers provide high-quality, comprehensive care for everyone, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. CHCs have opened their doors to asylum seekers, providing medical care and support to thousands of adults and children who literally have nothing, with little or no hope of reimbursement,” Duhan added.
Governor Hochul’s Office has not commented on the call to include the Coverage for All initiative among her priorities in her budget plan.
Data
- An estimated 250,000 undocumented and low-income New Yorkers have no access to health care
- At least 150,000 New Yorkers could receive health coverage with the passage of the law
- NYS could use $500 million in federal funds to expand coverage for all
- The State of NY would have to put $0, according to promoters of the law
2024-01-26 11:00:00
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